Johnny Depp has revealed he hopes his portrayal of a Native American warrior in the new Lone Ranger movie will help children find their own inner strength.

Stepping out on the red carpet at the film's world premiere at Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, the 50-year-old said he has always felt a connection with the role.

"It's something that has felt dear to my heart since childhood. I remember my parents talking about how we had some degree of Indian blood in us and it was a great point of pride even as a little kid.

"If this version of the Lone Ranger can help kids on the reservation, kids off the reservation to say I am a warrior, I can get through this, I want to keep my language alive then great."

Co-star Armie Hammer, who plays the legend of justice of the film's title, wears the famous black eye mask and white cowboy hat for the movie but says it took him a little while to feel at home in his ensemble.

"The first time I put on the mask and hat was in an air conditioned room in Burbank, California, and it was a terribly ill-fitting mask and a worse fitting hat and it all bunched into my eyes. But finally we worked it out and got it where it happened."

The 26-year-old is now so comfortable as a cowboy he's got skills he's keen to show off.